[Author-Notes: I'm sorry if this chapter feels rushed. After this chapter the time-skip is happening so I kind of summarized the events that happen in this chapter. Once again, I'm sorry if this chapter feels too rushed or sudden.]

June 24th 2002:

Sunlight streamed through the glass of Sasuke Uchiha's hospital room.

A tray of uneaten food had been placed on the small table located on the right side of his bed.

Eye-bags of pure exhaustion were prominent on his face.

Naruto Uzumaki had visited him an hour ago, had chatted to him for a few minutes, and had left soon after.

Sasuke hadn't paid much attention to their brief conversation.

He had heard from Naruto that Sukuna had decided not to visit so that he could compartmentalize everything that had happened to him.

He wasn't even frustrated, angered, or despaired.

Despite having gained the third tomoe Sharingan and mastering the first stage of the Curse-Mark, Itachi Uchiha had defeated him.

Dull obsidian eyes looked at the window and peered out at the village.

People were out and about like usual, either heading out to work or leaving their homes for school and other activities.

Genin, Chunin, and the occasional Jonin hopped across the roof-tops.

Everything was normal.

So why was he feeling so disappointed and tired?

(-)

There was silence in a metal-reinforced room. Ibiki Morino stood outside the entrance to this room, shoulders squared and chin raised. Ryomen Sukuna looked at the person seated across from him.

Kimimaro Kaguya was unrestrained but had some kind of Chakra-Suppression-Seals plastered onto his palms. Tsunade had granted Sukuna direct clearance to speak to him three hours ago.

"So." Sukuna sipped from the cup of tea in his hand. "I've heard that Inoichi couldn't extract any information about Orochimaru from you."

"You would be correct." Kimimaro nodded in response. "Orochimaru made sure that we would be protected from any mind-reading Jutsu."

"Not my problem." Sukuna laughed a little, sipping more of his tea. "I'm just glad I was able to get clearance to talk to you and Suigetsu."

"Oh?" Kimimaro took a casual sip of his green tea. "How did the Hidden-Leaf capture him? Suigetsu isn't an easy opponent to fight."

"Right." Sukuna blinked his four eyes in thought. "You wouldn't know. The old man was able to seal off your slithery friend's use of his arms."

"He isn't calling Orochimaru by his normal title." He mused. "He tried to get Tsunade to heal his arms and made her some kind of offer."

"She refused it. Kabuto, Orochimaru, and Suigetsu fought her." Sukuna said. "That was until my group came along to even the odds."

"I understand." Kimimaro drank his tea and spoke. "I'm assuming one of you defeated Suigetsu and escorted him back to the Hidden-Leaf."

"Spot on." Sukuna snorted, unimpressed. "I beat him, but Jiraiya was the one who had to carry him back. Naruto wouldn't stop laughing."

"This has been fun and all." Kimimaro lowered his cup onto the table. "But, tell me, what is the true meaning in visiting and talking to me?"

Sukuna's four eyes glowed red in amusement. "That's the question of the century, isn't it? Let's just say I want to ask you to help me out."

"And why would I help you?" Kimimaro looked bored. "I admit you defeated me fair and square, but I gain nothing from assisting you."

"I don't plan to stay in Konoha for much longer." Sukuna smiled. "It's been building up over some time, but I plan to leave at some point."

"You're going to become a Rogue-Ninja?" Kimimaro furrowed his brows. "What would you get out of abandoning the Hidden-Leaf?"

"It's just something I've planned to do for a while." Sukuna replied. "I don't get anything from doing it, but I don't really care about that."

"Is it wise to be talking about such a topic in the open?" Kimimaro tilted his head. "I know that Ibiki Morino is stationed out of this room."

"I created a miniature Veil to pry off any listeners." Sukuna chuckled. "You wouldn't know what a Veil is and what it does, though, do you?"

"Indeed." Kimimaro nodded. "That also reminds me of when you were talking about Reverse-Cursed-Technique after healing your wounds."

"You must be wondering what Reverse-Cursed-Technique is, huh?" Sukuna grinned. "It's just a form of healing I have, nothing special."

"You regenerated an organ." Kimimaro shook his head, picking his cup up and sipping his tea. "Now, what do you mean by me helping you?"

"I want you to join my team when I leave the Hidden-Leaf." Sukuna said. "I have some connections that will let you get released early."

"And by 'connections' I mean Tsunade." Sukuna swallowed the last of his tea. "I'll propose that she lets me be your supervisor or something."

"Of course, your chakra will stay sealed." Sukuna shrugged. "But it's better than the alternative and staying locked up in this dingy place."

"If you're curious, I've asked Suigetsu and he's accepted my offer."

"I'm still loyal to Orochimaru." Kimimaro's features were apathetic. "But what you said about living for myself has piqued my curiosity."

"I want to learn more about living by my own ideals and dreams." He told Sukuna. "The Kaguya-Clan only cared about battles and war."

"I suppose I will join your team if it lets me understand myself." Kimimaro finished his tea. "But how do you know I won't deceive you?"

"Easy." Sukuna propped his knuckles beneath his chin. "We'll make a Binding-Vow that benefits both sides. That's the solution to that issue."

"I assume this is a derivative of your mutated chakra?" Kimimaro's question was rhetorical. "What does this 'Binding-Vow' entail?"

"That's the spirit." Sukuna laughed a little. "You'll join my team and we aren't allowed to sell out the other. You can also leave at any time."

"This vow will end when you and I announce the words 'I will leave this team'." Sukuna stretched his hand out. "Do we have a deal, then?"

Kimimaro contemplated the vow for a moment, then shook Sukuna's hand and nodded. "I agree to this 'Binding-Vow' of yours, Sukuna."

Sukuna's grin was downright ominous. "Perfect. I'll make sure to talk about you getting some fresh air out of your cell to Tsunade later."

"Make sure to do that." Kimimaro retracted his hand, gazing at the seal etched upon his palm. "I suppose I will see you later, Sukuna."

(-)

Sukuna stepped out from the interrogation room and dispelled the miniature version of the Veil that he had cast over it. Ibiki realized he had finished his conversation, pulling out a key and locking the door.

"I'm aware that it's not my place to pry." Ibiki's gaze was stern. "But why would you get clearance from lady Hokage to speak to him?"

Hands tucked into his pockets, Sukuna grunted. "You said it yourself. It's none of your business. I don't have much of a reason to tell you."

Ibiki shook his head and huffed, amused. "I was more surprised to hear that you were the one who defeated him. His chakra is eerie."

"It took some time for me to beat him." Sukuna shrugged, heading out of the building and returning to the streets of the village. "What now?"

"Suigetsu agreed to join my team pretty quick." He snorted to himself. "I guess he just wants a foolproof way to get away from Orochimaru."

"I'll go to Tsunade later about making me their supervisor." Sukuna scratched his head. "Let's hope she isn't swamped in paperwork."

(-)

It had become 11: 34—PM. Sukuna was on his usual stroll across the alleyways of Konoha and was enjoying the silence in the atmosphere. Exiting one of these alleyways, he found himself on a secluded street.

Starlight illuminated the area, letting him see Sasuke seated on a wooden bench located next to some type of vending machine. There were severe eye-bags on his pale face and his expression was blank.

Sasuke clenched his fingers over the canned coffee in his hand. Sukuna approached the bench that his friend was on, purchased a can of orange juice from the vending machine, and sat on this bench.

Popping open his can, Sukuna took a small sip from it and spoke. "Aren't you meant to be at the hospital recovering from that Genjutsu?"

"I couldn't sleep." Sasuke's eye-bags grew even more visible. "Sukuna, tell me. Am I weak?"

Sukuna leaned back on the bench after the sudden question and responded. "No. I wouldn't really call you weak."

"Then how did Itachi beat me so fast?" Sasuke crushed the can in his hand. "No matter how much stronger I get, he's still more powerful."

Despite his aggressive actions, Sasuke was exhausted rather than mad. "I've gained the third tomoe Sharingan and can use the Curse-Mark."

"Kabuto told me that Orochimaru can offer me more power." He spoke. "Back when the Hidden-Sand and Sound attacked the village."

"He told me that I'd become distracted by the mundane life of a Genin." Sasuke lowered his head. "I'm starting to think he was right."

"It feels like the village has limited me…"

"And what do you want me to tell you?" Sukuna asked him. "I could tell you to ignore what Kabuto said and just focus on getting more strong."

"But I won't." Sukuna sipped more of his orange juice. "Do you remember what I said my dislikes were when Kakashi asked us?"

"You don't like obstacles in your life or people who limit you." Sasuke groused, tossing the crushed can into a close by bin. "What about it?"

"That applies to other people." Sukuna threw his can of orange juice into the bin. "Do whatever the hell you want, Sasuke. It's your life."

"That really doesn't help." Sasuke sighed to himself, lightless eyes closed in frustration. "How am I supposed to catch up to Itachi?"

"Don't ask me." Sukuna glanced at a roof-top—where the Sound-Four were eavesdropping on them from. "You'll have to work that out."

Sukuna rose from the bench, small specks of moonlight highlighting his amused grin. "Just know I don't care less about what you'll do."

"Hah." Sasuke scoffed at him, unimpressed. "I'm not sure whether or not I should appreciate that. I guess I'll see you later, then, Sukuna."

"Yeah." Sukuna stole one more subtle look at the Sound-Four on the roof-top and walked back into the alleyways. "I'll see you later."

(-)

Sukuna had made a late night visit to Tsunade—who had elected to remain in her office so that she could complete all her paperwork. Even though it was a little late, she had listened to his odd request.

Tsunade had agreed to his proposition of making him Kimimaro and Suigetsu's supervisor. Ibiki had been called up soon after. It wasn't much of an issue on his side since he tended to work the night-shifts.

Kimimaro and Suigetsu had been released into his custody. Though, the Chakra-Suppression-Seals on their palms had stayed on. At the moment, they were in the office to let Tsunade finalize the proposition.

"That should do it." Tsunade placed her stamp on the official file to make Sukuna their supervisor. "Any more random requests, brat?"

"Nope." Sukuna slid his hands into his pockets, opened the door, and left the room alongside his charges. "That went pretty well, huh?"

"It still sucks I've got these seals on my hands!" Suigetsu glared at his palms. "Are you sure you can't ask that lady to get these removed?"

"I'm afraid that was non-negotiable." Sukuna addressed Kimimaro afterwards. "It looks like Orochimaru is making his move already."

An amused smirk crossed Sukuna's face. "I was talking to Sasuke earlier and spotted some suspicious stalkers listening in on us."

"It must be the Sound-Four." Kimimaro murmured to himself. "Orochimaru wouldn't trust anyone else for that type of task."

"Sasuke Uchiha, right?" Suigetsu grunted, traversing the hallway. "Kabuto told me that he was meant to be snake-face's new vessel."

"Yeah." Sukuna answered, stepping outside and feeling the sensation of the cold wind around them. "I'll rent you two an inn to sleep at."

(-)

June 25th 2002:

Sukuna was woken up by the sound of frantic knocks against his door. Sliding off of his bed, he scratched his four eyes, yawned into his closed fist, meandered to the entrance of his home, and opened it.

Naruto stood across from him, teeth clenched. "Sukuna! Granny just told me that Sasuke was sighted leaving the village last night!"

"He had some kind of backup who knocked out the Chunin stationed at the gate!" Naruto shouted. "And he left a note on their bodies!"

Uncaring of this, Sukuna crossed his arms. "And what was written in the note that has you so worked up? It can't be that serious, can it?"

"Of course it's serious!" Naruto took the note from his pocket, pointing at it. "The bastard wrote down that he was going to Orochimaru!"

"So he's made his choice." Sukuna uncrossed his arms. "And why are you telling me this? Shouldn't there be people going after Sasuke?"

"But of all the ways to tell people he was going to Orochimaru, why a note?"

Pocketing the note, Naruto grinned. "I forgot to tell you this, but Shikamaru and I got promoted to Chunin! I'm waiting on the jacket."

"But enough about that." Naruto's eyes turned serious. "Granny said that all of the other Jonin and Chunin are out on missions right now."

"She said something about the invasion of Konoha cutting mission productivity in half." Naruto rubbed his chin. "I wasn't listening!"

"Bushy-Brows is off on a mission." Naruto grunted. "But Shikamaru was able to assemble a team of Kiba, Choji, Shino, and Neji to help!"

"We're about to head after the bastard and bring him back!" He said. "All we're waiting on is you, Sukuna! So hurry up and we can go!"

"Sorry, Naruto." Sukuna leaned on his door. "But I think it's best to let him leave."

"What?!" Naruto looked shocked, angered, and baffled all at once. "Sukuna, did you not hear me?! He's going to go to Orochimaru!"

"That's his decision." Sukuna replied. "I don't care much about it."

"Stop messing around, Sukuna!" Naruto's eyes flashed red, but then looked at the clock in Sukuna's hallway. "Damn it, we're wasting time!"

"Then you better get on going." Sukuna shut the door, leaving Naruto stunned and irritated. "I guess I should also be heading out soon…"

Sukuna stepped into his bed-room and seated himself down on his wooden chair.

Countless memories about his second life entered his mind.

He recalled being given his Shinobi head-band, being assigned to team seven, being trained by Kakashi, and being in countless battles.

He recalled his day at the Rinne-Festival and all of the outlandish events that had happened. He remembered being trained by Gai and Lee in Taijutsu. He remembered training himself in Konoha's forests.

The Land-Of-Snow mission had been his first major one. He remembered how he and Naruto had defeated Doto, destroyed his Chakra-Armour, and somehow helped Koyuki regain her throne.

Sukuna remembered the Chunin-Exams and his fight against Orochimaru—where he had awakened the Divine-Flame. He also remembered fighting against Lee and the match ending in a draw.

He even remembered more recent events, like his battle against Kimimaro that allowed him to awaken his Domain-Expansion and Reverse-Cursed-Technique. Despite all this, he had never felt fulfilled.

Of course, there was that fleeting sense of fulfillment he got when he had awoken Shrine, Ten-Shadows, and his blood manipulation. Without even realizing it, he had become bored of everything.

In a simpler sense, he was leaving the village because it sounded exciting and fun.

Sukuna had sealed his most important belongings into storage-scrolls and had destroyed every other insignificant item in his home last night. Putting on the pouches that had these scrolls, Sukuna left his house.

The Chakra-Suppression-Seals that Kimimaro and Suigetsu had on their palms also alerted the person who had given them these seals if they had somehow escaped the village.

Konoha had several smaller gates that took people out of the village. Since there was a limited number of Shinobi in the village to guard them, Sukuna had picked out a gate on the outskirts of a forest.

Sukuna, Kimimaro, and Suigetsu had planned everything before they had been taken to their rooms at one of Konoha's inns. Stepping into the forest, Sukuna soon located Kimimaro and Suigetsu waiting around.

Once they left the village, whoever had given them the Chakra-Suppression-Seals would tell their higher-ups of their escape.

Sukuna slipped his hands into his pockets and left the village.

He would not return for a while.

A/N: Thanks for reading.